“He probably prefers the wing a little bit more but he’s a pretty good player. He can play anywhere.”

Whether the Larkham/Tuqiri midfield combination will be effective is a moot point but given the former’s penchant for creating space for his outside backs and the latter’s fondness for exploiting holes in the opposition defence, the duo have the potential to be devastating.

Speculation has been rife that Tuqiri is planning a return to his league roots with his former club the Brisbane Broncos and he recently added weight to the rumours by saying that he would decide his playing future in the next six months.

Connolly however said he believed Tuqiri was committed to the Wallabies.

“I think he wants to stay,” Connolly said. “He’s important obviously, as all stars are in any code, whether it’s Lote or whoever.”